Understanding your herbal constitution, is one of the most impowering step you can take in your wellness and herbal journey.
There are many ways to define herbal constitutions, including the 3 doshas (pita, vata, kapha) from Ayurveda and the elements from Traditional Chinese Medicine.
We use the five elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether.
The elements are what existed at the very beginning of time, and as a result they are the basis of many traditional healing modalities around the world. The elements encompass cultural, medicinal, herbal, spiritual, and energetic traditions of healing.
We invite you to dive into the elements with us on our 3-day course!
This class is designed for anyone who wants to:
… deepen your understanding of how the elements manifest in yourself and others.
… step away from allopathic herbalism of “use X herb for Y condition”, and step towards a fundamental understanding of how to use plants to bring forth harmony.
… create more compassion for yourself and others.
… remember the wisdom of your ancestors.
... learn from a teacher, who has been studying the elements for over a decade as an energy healer, while dedicating herself to connecting people to nature through food, gardening, herbs, and ceremony.
… and learn from an indigenous teacher who has spent his entire life deep in the jungle of the mountains of Costa Rica, where the knowledge of the elements was used culturally and medicinally.
What is the intention of the course?
We will focus on one element at a time. Our days will incorporate ceremony, herbalism, food choices, yoga & movement, conversations defining each element, and deepening our intuition through connection to spirit and nature.
This course is practical and spiritual, experiential and energetic. This course is intended to:
… expand your connection to the elements,
… bridge your current wellness knowledge to the universality of the elements,
… start to define which of your elements are in harmony or disharmony,
… help you remember your ancestors’ wisdom of how to use the elements,
… shift your perspective about health, wellness, and plant medicine,
… teach you to read plants through plant walks and teas,
… and expand your capacity to create harmony within yourself and others.
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Meet your teachers
Solin Garcia Sanchez
Solin is a father, Huetar Indigenous tribe member, a knowledge keeper, a plant lover, a farmer, a community builder, a water and land manager, a medicine maker, a jokester, self-taught botanist, a keeper of cultural traditions. Solin has spent his entire life living near his plants. He was lucky enough to have learned from his grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles the cultural traditions, uses of plants, and how to live in harmony with nature. You are hard to find Solin without a machete on his side, a plant in his hand, and a new question to ask. When Solin co-founded KIS Botanicals, his purpose was to resurrect and give value to his culture's plant knowledge.
"The best part of the Element's class was, by far, Solin. Just him... and in his way of being with nature and plants. He is constantly doing such important work, and doesn't stop joking around while doing it. His knowledge is incredible and I am forever grateful for his willingness to share it."
"Solin is very 'air' or intellectual teacher. Meaning he doesn't always ask how the plant makes us feel or dives deep into the water or emotional aspect (although Kealy does - they make a great team!), but can go on and on about a plant's uses and how his family survived using it. You can tell his stories are all first hand. I loved learning from him, his knowledge should be shouted from the mountain tops!"
"Solin is a treasure! I really admire his goal of trying to keep his culture and family's knowledge alive. I have studied herbalism in the past, but never quite with someone like Solin. He eats, breathes, thinks, and cherishes the plants in a way that is unmatched."
Kealy Rudersdorf
Kealy is a mother, teacher, writer, herbalist, mover of energy, intuitive healer, lover of homegrown food, a community builder, a tree hugger, a mentor, a jungle dweller, a silly song singer, a medicine maker, a truth teller, a joyful laugher, and friend to all. Kealy’s path has twisted and turned, from structural engineering to elementary school garden teacher to energy medicine and herbalism. She has been studying and practicing holistic medicine since 2013, and co-founded KIS Botanicals with Solin in 2017. Kealy teaches courses on herbalism, energy medicine, permaculture, gardening with kids, and provides private healing sessions. She is passionate about connecting people to nature, working with kids, building resilient communities, and spreading joy in everything she does.
“Kealy is an incredible teacher. Her patience, love of what she does, and depth of knowledge is evident during every minute of her class. Her classes are like being wrapped in a big hug because she fills them with ceremony, knowledge, and joy! She continues to be my mentor in energy medicine and am so grateful I found her.”
“I am a yoga teacher and have been practicing yoga for over 20 years. Kealy’s element course has profoundly affected my practice. She had a beautiful way of weaving movement with herbalism, art and body work. Her knowledge is both deep and wide. Her classes are detailed and well-paced to fully understand each element. I feel like I will return to my class notes for a long time to come.”
“I 100 % recommend Kealy’s element course. She is an incredibly gifted healer and teacher. I am so lucky to have her work with me and help me though some really rough times as well as now as a teacher. Her intuition is unmatched, she knows exactly what I need and how to push me towards healing myself. Her connection to spirit is evident and I love how she introduced me to my guides during the course. I can’t wait for our next session together!”
Where will I stay during the course?
During the course, your accommodations will be at Dharma Shala Nicuragua. The owners, Chris and Beth, will be your hosts. They have built Darma Shala Nicuragua as a permaculture farm and conscientious lodging space to hold yoga retreats, mindful workshops and other intimate gatherings, with the intention to invite others to rest, recharge, and learn. Their sanctuary is private & secluded, but also conveniently located 15 minutes south of the famous beach town of San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua.
Expect to spend your time in beautiful structures, including newly constructed casitas, a beautiful dormitory, an open-air yoga shala, an open-air kitchen and dining space, and a refreshing swimming pool, all with the breathtaking view of the ocean on the horizon.
Course participants are scheduled to stay in the dorm structure with an optional upgrade. Read the FAQ for more details and contact us for details for the upgrade.
The Help Center
FAQ
When does the course begin and end?
The course runs from Wednesday, July 5th at 4:00pm to Saturday July 8th at 4:00.
You are welcome to come earlier or stay later, please let us know if you would like to know about pricing options.
For the extra Saturday night option, into Sunday morning accommodations, please refer to the prices below.
What is the price of the course?
The base price for the course is $300. This includes:
Afternoon arrival, dinner, and sleep accommodations in the dorm for Wednesday July 5th, 2023.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner, participation in 7-8 hours of programming, and sleep accommodations in the dorm for both Thursday and Friday, July 6th and 7th.
Breakfast, lunch, and participation in 5-6 hours of programming on Saturday July 8th.
For accommodation upgrades: If you would like to stay in a private accommodation, the exchange is
$45 per night extra for an individual
$65 per night extra for a couple
For optional Saturday evening accommodations, which include Saturday dinner, Saturday night accommodations, and Sunday breakfast:
$35 extra for dorm room
$75 extra for private accommodations for an individual
$90 for private accommodations for a couple
For participating in the programming only, there is a $30 discount ($270 total). This discounts the sleeping accommodations only. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner is included as they planned to further help you understand the elements.
What is the layout of the course?
7:00 – guided moving meditation to include yoga
8:00 – breakfast
9:00 – theory: defining the element, including what the element looks like in balance, excess or lack
10:30 – break
10:45 – exploring the elements through teas, including Huetar indigenous knowledge
12:00 – lunch, to reflect the element
1:00 – theory: defining the element, including what the element looks like in balance, excess or lack
2:30 – break
2:45 – exploring the elements through teas, including Huetar indigenous knowledge
3:45 – plant walk to identify the day’s elements in plants
4:15 – free time
6:00 – dinner, to reflect the element
9:00 – quiet time
What kind of structure will I be spending my time in for course?
All of the Dharma Shala Nicaragua’s structures are beautifully and intentionally built. All sleeping spaces are fully closed with large screened windows to open to allow the breeze in. The course participants are scheduled to stay in the dorm house, with an optional upgrade to a private space.
What is there to do during my free time?
We have the three days packed with exciting and meaningful activities and conversations, from meditation, to yoga, to plant walks, to tea testing. We encourage you to use your free time in the early mornings and late afternoons to reflect, journal, rest and reflect on what you have learned. Participants will have access to the pool, that is within steps of all sleeping structures.
Is there internet or wifi at Dharma Shala Nicaragua?
Yes. However, during class time, we will ask for all electronic devices to be put away. Our intention is for you to drop into your heart space as you learn more deeply about yourself, your constitution, the energy of plants, and herbalism. Technology can bring us out of our heart space. Plan to have limited time with technology during the day.
What is the food like at Dharma Shala Nicaragua?
The food is truly loved by most people who visit Dharma Shala Nicaragua. It is delicious and nutritious. Each lunch and dinner will be planned to reflect the element we are studying at the moment.
If you have particular food needs, please make sure we know BEFORE you arrive. Dharma Shala Nicaragua always tries their best to accommodate, if they can.
What language will the course be given in?
Although Dharma Shala Nicaragua is located in Nicaragua where Spanish is spoken, this class will be given in English or translated into English. Note that Solin is a native Spanish speaker and his teachings will be translated into English by Kealy.
I plan to attend the course during a border run. How can I coordinate transport?
We plan to put everyone making a border run from Costa Rica in contact with each other via WhatsApp so everyone can coordinate more easily. We can also help set up taxis from the border (or maybe Liberia!) to Dharma Shala Nicaragua. The distance and price of the transport will depend on how many people are using the service, so grab a friend to join us too!
What should I bring for the course?
We will send a list with the essential items. Along with the essentials (headlight with extra batteries, bug spray, rain gear, etc), please consider bringing:
Items for our alter based on the elements (pictures or things you hold dear and sacred that represent each element for you);
A loved yoga matt and / or a thick blanket (there are some to share, no need to buy);
A journal with the first page filled with your intentions for the course;
Something that helps to ground and / or balance you;
An open mind and heart, ready to learn and expand your innate wisdom;
Anything that might help you feel more comfortable and learn more deeply.
I have other questions. Who should I contact?
Please send a message to Kealy at KISBotanicals@gmail.com or via WhatsApp (for a faster reply) at +506 8411-6282.
We hope to see you this July!!
©2018 by KIS Botanicals - Inspired by nature, driven by love
We guide you into deeper connection with Mother Earth, yourself and Spirit via herbalism, body work, energy, the elements, guided meditations, cultural stories and self love.